Question of the Week

Is the squad strong enough to challenge for promotion?

Strong yes Weak yes Neutral Weak no Strong no

Pretty Please….

Grimsby v Gillingham Preview

By: Sam Kinnaird
Date: 20/03/2009

GRIMSBY are fast running out of chances to avoid the unthinkable drop and with five games left at home of out a total at eight it doesn't take a genius to realise that results at Blundell Park are the key to staying up - forget about other teams getting yet more points deductions.

Chairman Paul Scally became a Gills legend when he rescued the club from near certain extinction in 1995 when they were at the depths of the then Division Three. In 1999 they reached the Division Two play-off final in dramatic circumstances to Manchester City. Gillingham were 2-0 up with just 2 minutes left but the game went to extra time and penalties when City fought back, city then went on to win 3-1 on penalties and break Gills hearts. They went one better the next year however, beating Wigan at the old Wembley 3-2 under Peter Taylor and then player-manager Andy Hessenthaler, they then went on to finish 11th in Division One which is Gillingham’s highest ever League finish. They managed to remain in Division One for 4 seasons until they were relegated in 2005, with Hessenthaler being replaced by Stan Ternant who as unable to keep them in the division. A few seasons of mid-table mediocrity then followed until they were related again last season with 46 points, 4 points from safety. Current manager Mark Stimson (left) was plucked from the Conference in the November of the relegation season after building up a good reputation with Grays Athletic and then a short stint with Stevenage. He has since brought a number of Stevenage players to the Priestfield Stadium including Adam Miller and the aptly named John Nutter. This season started with no wins in the first 3 games and Gillingham went into Christmas looking by no means a certainty for the play-offs. However things have soon picked up and the club have been in devastating form since the turn of the year picking up 9 wins since. They are currently unbeaten in 8 games and last time out scraped a 1-0 win at Notts County to take them up to 2nd in the table, 6 points behind leaders Brentford.

The Team

The Gillingham squad is full of good players at this level with many playing at higher levels than League Two. Town fans with remember Nicky Southall (left) from his days at Blundell Park, the 37 year old played 72 times for town in the 90s but has played over 300 games for the Gills in 3 spells becoming a club favourite in the process. Veteran goalkeeper Simon Royce was player of the year at the club last year and has been equally as impressive this season. Club captain Mark Bentley was signed on a free from Southend United in 2006 and has played 39 games this season. 25 year old centre back Simon King signed for Gillingham for £200,000 from Barnet and has played nearly 80 games for the club over 2 seasons, and has become a rock at the heart of the defence. Winger Andy Barcham was signed on a free from Spurs after a successful loan period last year, he has already scored 4 times in his 12 appearances this season and is doubtless one of the more talented players in League Two.

Key Player

Jamaican frontman Simeon Jackson signed for Gillingham for £150,000 from Rushden & Diamonds last season and has been a revelation. His pace and power have brought him 17 league goals already this season to add to last season’s tally. His performance in the cup against Aston Villa in January where he scored an equaliser led to rumours of a £1,000,000 move to Villa Park which never materialised. He scored in the 3-0 win over the Mariners earlier in the season and scored against us for Rushden in the league game in 2005. The striker has the ability to tear defences to pieces and Bennett and Atkinson will have to be at their best to keep him out.

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